Mickelson looks to defend Deutsche Bank title

Friday

Aug 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMAug 29, 2008 at 12:08 PM

Sweat covered the face of Phil Mickelson on Thursday as he entered the interview room at the Deutsche Bank Championship, making it appear as though he'd gone through a rigorous practice session with Butch Harmon rather than a leisurely Pro-Am round at TPC Boston with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Deutsche Bank Americas CEO Seth Waugh.

Nate Crossman

Sweat covered the face of Phil Mickelson on Thursday as he entered the interview room at the Deutsche Bank Championship, making it appear as though he'd gone through a rigorous practice session with Butch Harmon rather than a leisurely Pro-Am round at TPC Boston with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Deutsche Bank Americas CEO Seth Waugh.

Mickelson might have enjoyed chatting with his high-powered foursome, especially Kraft, since Mickelson is an avid football fan. But he's all business this week as he attempts to defend his Deutsche Bank title and creep ever closer to the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings.

He is currently fourth, behind Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Kevin Sutherland.

"I certainly feel confident when I play this course, because of last year's success," Mickelson said. "It makes it – I don't want to say easier. It makes it a more positive experience."

Mickelson hasn't had many of those lately, at least not in the results category. He shot three rounds in the 60s in the World Golf Championship at the beginning of August, and led by a stroke through 68 holes. But he bogeyed three of his last four to finish tied for fourth.

The next week, at the PGA Championship, he came tantalizingly close to putting himself in contention, but could never quite do it, finishing tied for seventh.

Surprisingly, Mickelson's short game has been shaky recently.

"I haven't been scoring the way I'd like," Mickelson said. "The little shots around the green have cost me. But I'm starting to get those turned around."

Mickelson won last year's Deutsche Bank by staring down Tiger Woods three times, including in the final round. Although he might not miss Woods competitively, Mickelson admitted that his absence has negatively affected the Tour.

"The ratings have suffered, as well as the attendance," Mickelson said. "We're lucky to have the most recognizable icon in all of sports.

"If Tiger was not around and I was still able to be the No. 1 player in the world, I'd be making half as much as I am now because of him," Mickelson said. "I am very thankful for the fact that, again, he's in our sport and he's had the success and the charisma and the allure to attract corporate America as well as fans to the game."

Mickelson's praise for Tigers' mass appeal was second only to his praise of the golf course, which is interesting because he never played it before last year.

"I think this is the best TPC course we have," Mickelson said. "It's fun to play and it's challenging. I love having the opportunity to make birdies and big scores, because it rewards the guys who are playing well and gives the opportunity for more separation.

"There are more par-5s that are reachable, there's a drivable par-4 and it has some of the longest par-4s on the tour."

As usual, Mickelson held court on a variety of topics, including the FedEx Cup point system and how it's more volatile this season than last.

"I think that the intent was to have more turn-over, and certainly it's done that," Mickelson said. "I don't feel as though the season, the regular season, has anywhere near the same impact that it has, and so that could be a good thing, because we don't have to play as many events if we don't want to.

"Positioning ourselves for the FedEx Cup is really not important because the last-place guy, if he wins, vaults into first. So that could be kind of cool."